Early Years

The early years, from before birth to age 6, are crucial for a child's healthy development. Children deserve the best possible start in life to help them develop to their full potential.

The Early Years Branch provides a variety of services including programming for regulated child care, administration of the Child Care Subsidy program, oversight of the Early Intervention Program and the establishment of Early Years Centres.

Information Access and Privacy (FOIPOP)

The Information Management Division provides public access to Department of Education and Early Childhood Development records and information, and protects the privacy of individuals with respect to personal information about themselves held by the Department, in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP Act) and other legislation.

The Act strives for balance between an individual’s right to know and an individual’s right to privacy.

Specific and limited exemptions from disclosure are provided for in the Act to protect against the unreasonable invasion of personal privacy; to prevent unfair advantages occurring in commercial or government transactions; to protect law enforcement activities; and to safeguard the business conducted by government.

Routine Access Policy - The Routine Access Policy is designed to provide members of the public with the opportunity to obtain certain categories of records without having to submit a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act application.

Student Records Policy - The Student Records Policy provides clear direction to school boards, public schools, principals, and school educational/administrative staff regarding their roles for the completion, access, correction or removal of information, security, maintenance, storage, transfer, retention, and destruction of student records.

Privacy Policy - The Privacy Policy is designed to ensure that the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development meets its legislated obligations in the management of personal information throughout its life cycle. This includes ensuring the protection of personal information by making reasonable security arrangements against such risks as unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure or disposal. The Privacy Breach Protocol outlines the steps to be taken in the event of a possible breach of personal privacy.